Milan building momentum after 2-0 win over Lazio

MILAN (Reuters) - AC Milan beat visitors Lazio 2-0 to claim consecutive Serie A wins for the first time since February thanks to Carlos Bacca's fifth goal of the season and an M'Baye Niang penalty on Tuesday.

Bacca scored before halftime on the break, while Niang converted from the spot late on after handball by Stefan Radu.

New coach Vincenzo Montella's Milan side are gaining momentum having lost twice this season and move up to third on nine points after seeing off Lazio, who are seventh on seven.

"The solid spirit we've had for the last two matches is what we need going forward," Milan captain Riccardo Montolivo told Mediaset Premium. "We did well to be clinical and efficient."

The unerring Bacca stroked the ball past stand-in debutant keeper Thomas Strakosha in the 37th minute after being released through the middle by Juraj Kucka, who quickly capitalized on Marco Parolo's poor control as a Lazio attack broke down.

"We should have taken the lead but instead we conceded a silly goal," said Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi. "We tried to recover the situation but weren't as organized after the break."

Milan could have doubled their lead before halftime when Lazio's backline was exposed by the fleet-footed Suso and the nervous Strakosha was forced to parry the ball clear after the Spaniard's cross was deflected goalwards by defender Bastos.